Defending champions India suffered an early setback in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the United States at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, as USA’s Shadley van Schalkwyk claimed an astonishing three wickets in a single over. Shivam Dube was dismissed for a duck, adding to India’s early woes in the high-stakes encounter.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, entered the match with confidence and the advantage of home conditions. The team aimed to assert dominance from the start with a well-balanced lineup featuring Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel. However, the USA’s disciplined bowling early on tested the defending champions’ mettle.
The United States, under captain Monank Patel, displayed impressive composure despite being newcomers on the global stage. Their surprise win against Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup has already cemented their reputation as giant-killers, and the early performance against India demonstrates their continued ambition to make a mark in the tournament.
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India’s batting card suffered further blows as Van Schalkwyk’s over not only claimed three wickets but also disrupted the rhythm of the middle order. Early dismissals left India struggling to rebuild innings momentum, putting pressure on experienced campaigners like Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya to stabilize the innings.
Both teams’ playing elevens featured star power and strategic depth. India’s lineup included Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Mohammed Siraj, while the USA fielded Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjane, and Jasdeep Singh, balancing youth and experience to challenge the defending champions.
Fans can follow the remainder of the India vs USA clash on Star Sports Network for live telecast or stream live on the JioHotstar app. With India reeling early and the USA seizing momentum, the match promises an electrifying contest and could redefine expectations in the T20 World Cup 2026.
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